Psalms — Chapter 31

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1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

1In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.

2Bow down thine ear unto me; deliver me speedily: Be thou to me a strong rock, A house of defence to save me.

3For thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for thy name`s sake lead me and guide me.

4Pluck me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; For thou art my stronghold.

5Into thy hand I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Jehovah, thou God of truth.

6I hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in Jehovah.

7I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness; For thou hast seen my affliction: Thou hast known my soul in adversities;

8And thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a large place.

9Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, for I am in distress: Mine eye wasteth away with grief, [yea], my soul and my body.

10For my life is spent with sorrow, And my years with sighing: My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, And my bones are wasted away.

11Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, Yea, unto my neighbors exceedingly, And a fear to mine acquaintance: They that did see me without fled from me.

12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

13For I have heard the defaming of many, Terror on every side: While they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.

14But I trusted in thee, O Jehovah: I said, Thou art my God.

15My times are in thy hand: Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: Save me in thy lovingkindness.

17Let me not be put to shame, O Jehovah; for I have called upon thee: Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol.

18Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt.

19Oh how great is thy goodness, Which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, Which thou hast wrought for them that take refuge in thee, Before the sons of men!

20In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings of man: Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed be Jehovah; For he hath showed me his marvellous lovingkindness in a strong city.

22As for me, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: Nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications When I cried unto thee.

23Oh love Jehovah, all ye his saints: Jehovah preserveth the faithful, And plentifully rewardeth him that dealeth proudly.

24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that hope in Jehovah. Psalm 32 [A Psalm] of David. Maschil.

1For the music director, a psalm of David. In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter. Never let me be humiliated. Vindicate me by rescuing me.

2Listen to me. Quickly deliver me. Be my protector and refuge, a stronghold where I can be safe.

3For you are my high ridge and my stronghold; for the sake of your own reputation you lead me and guide me.

4You will free me from the net they hid for me, for you are my place of refuge.

5Into your hand I entrust my life; you will rescue me, O Lord, the faithful God.

6I hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.

7I will be happy and rejoice in your faithfulness, because you notice my pain and you are aware of how distressed I am.

8You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy; you enable me to stand in a wide open place.

9Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress! My eyes grow dim from suffering. I have lost my strength.

10For my life nears its end in pain; my years draw to a close as I groan. My strength fails me because of my sin, and my bones become brittle.

11Because of all my enemies, people disdain me; my neighbors are appalled by my suffering— those who know me are horrified by my condition; those who see me in the street run away from me.

12I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about; I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.

13For I hear what so many are saying, the terrifying news that comes from every direction. When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life.

14But I trust in you, O Lord! I declare, “You are my God!”

15You determine my destiny. Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me.

16Smile on your servant. Deliver me because of your faithfulness.

17O Lord, do not let me be humiliated, for I call out to you. May evil men be humiliated. May they go wailing to the grave.

18May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak defiantly against the innocent with arrogance and contempt.

19How great is your favor, which you store up for your loyal followers. In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter in you.

20You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks of men; you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks.

21The Lord deserves praise for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies.

22I jumped to conclusions and said, “I am cut off from your presence!” But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help.

23Love the Lord, all you faithful followers of his! The Lord protects those who have integrity, but he pays back in full the one who acts arrogantly.

24Be strong and confident, all you who wait on the Lord.

1In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.

2Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.

3For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

4Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.

5Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.

6I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Yahweh.

7I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.

8You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.

9Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.

10For my life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted away.

11Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me.

12I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery.

13For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.

14But I trust in you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my God.”

15My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16Make your face to shine on your servant. Save me in your loving kindness.

17Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.

18Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.

19Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!

20In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.

21Praise be to Yahweh, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.

22As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.

23Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints! Yahweh preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.

24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A lament and trust psalm — 'Into thine hand I commit my spirit' (Jesus' final words from the cross); David is in distress but trusts God's steadfast love and encourages all who wait for the LORD.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Individual Lament and Trust Psalm Attributed Author: David ("To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David") Key Themes: Trust in distress, committing one's spirit to God, God's goodness stored up for His people, God as a strong city of refuge
Historical Context: Psalm 31 is a deeply personal psalm of David written during a time of intense persecution and distress. While the specific occasion is uncertain, many scholars associate it with David's flight from Saul or possibly the rebellion of Absalom. The psalm moves dramatically between desperate lament and confident trust, reflecting David's raw honesty before God in crisis.
This psalm holds immense theological significance because verse 5 ("Into thine hand I commit my spirit") was quoted by Jesus Christ on the cross as His final words (Luke 23:46). Stephen also echoed this sentiment at his martyrdom (Acts 7:59). The phrase represents the ultimate act of trust — placing one's very life into God's hands when all earthly hope has failed.
The psalm's structure reveals a pattern common in lament psalms: it begins with a declaration of trust, moves into descriptions of distress, returns to confident faith, and ends with exhortation to others. Verse 21's mention of a "strong city" (KJV) or "besieged city" (ESV) may refer to David's experience at Keilah (1 Samuel 23) or another specific crisis.
Structure:
  • Declaration of Trust and Plea for Deliverance (vv. 1-8)
  • Description of Distress and Suffering (vv. 9-13)
  • Renewed Confidence in God (vv. 14-18)
  • Praise for God's Goodness (vv. 19-22)
  • Exhortation to the Saints (vv. 23-24)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Reflection

  • 1. Committing our spirit to God is not only for death — it is a daily practice of surrendering our lives, plans, anxieties, and uncertainties into His faithful hands. What areas of your life have you not yet "committed" to the Lord?
  • 2. "My times are in thy hand" (v.15) addresses our deepest fears about the future. If God holds all our times — our joys, our sufferings, our length of days — then nothing catches Him off guard. How does this truth change your response to uncertainty?
  • 3. David experienced social abandonment — friends fleeing, being forgotten like a dead man (vv.11-12). Have you experienced isolation in suffering? David's response was not bitterness but renewed trust: "But I trusted in thee" (v.14). The word "but" marks the turning point from despair to faith.
  • 4. God's goodness is "laid up" (v.19) — stored and reserved for those who fear Him. Much of God's blessing is unseen in the present moment. Are you willing to trust in stored-up goodness you cannot yet perceive, or do you demand immediate evidence?
  • 5. The psalm ends with community (vv.23-24). Personal trust in God leads to encouraging others. After finding God faithful in your own trials, how are you strengthening others who are still in their season of waiting?